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BUY THE TICKET, TAKE THE RIDE?
Posted by Mike Warkentin
March 18, 2008 at 2:28pm
9 comments
Right now, I have a ticket to the upcoming Celine Dion concert on reserve at Ticketmaster... but only for the next two minutes and 15 seconds.
Don't worry -- I'm not going to buy the thing. It's all yours, dude.
I just wanted to see what it would cost me to watch the Vegas diva howl her way through a bunch of songs inspired by sunken ships, because I personally turn to Gordon Lightfoot, 3 Inches of Blood or The Tragically Hip when I'm feeling a little nautical.
Shipwrecks aside, it turns out I can see Dion for no less than $195, plus $14 convenience fee (which is a misnomer if I've ever seen one).
I'm sure the Baby Boomers will be out in full force on Oct. 27 and 28, and I'm sure they're only too willing to swipe their Visa Platinum cards in hopes of seeing the diva's lower lip quiver like that of a sleeping horse as she really nails the high notes.
For my part, I draw the line at $100 -- and there are a paltry few bands for whom I would drop that much coin.
I love live music as much as the next person, but a bill is just a foolish amount of money to pay for a concert unless Jesus Christ himself is playing lead guitar for Slayer. I'd drop a hun to see that go down.
But really, look at all the other great acts you can see in the coming year for less money: Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Def Leppard, Lenny Kravitz, Rush.... OK, I don't really consider the last two to be great, but some people do.
And when it really comes down to it, the best shows I've seen in recent years have been at smaller venues such as the Pyramid and the Royal Albert Arms, where bands sweat blood and can't hide behind pyro or light shows. I usually paid less than $20 to get into those shows, and I felt I got more than my money's worth when I was walking out -- which must mean the show was a success.
Furthermore, I had $80 left over to spend on beer.
If you do want to spend $209 to feel like The King of the World, I won't judge you. In fact, head to Ticketmaster.ca. There's a great seat in the 100 section that just opened up.
COMMENTS
celine dion is everything that is wrong with the music industry.
For that $209 seat in section 100 - a person can catch about 20 local shows, probably meet the musician(s), have a great time, probably front row - not have to pay a 'convenience' fee......or how about 10 local shows and save the rest to support the artists by buying a cd while you're there! that sounds wayyy better to me - no offence celine (if she happens to read this blog!)
i'm getting tired of being told that i'm an idiot automaton for enjoying mainstream music. the fact is that i, like many people, enjoy lots of music. the fact that i'm even on this website is a testament to that. i got to lots of local shows. i buy cd's from music trader. i grew up musically at the albert and the spectrum. and i also went to see cher and justin timberlake. it's possible to like both kinds of shows. most of the time you feel like a sun burger. every once in a while you feel like burger king.
the reason a show like celine is so expensive is because it's a spectacle. it's lights and sounds and costume changes. it's a lot of work to put a show like that on and a lot of work to tour it around the world. a show like that also employs a lot of people. nice, hard working people who are every bit as valid and every bit a part of this business as anyone else.
it seems like there's some idea that you're only worth listening to if you're not super popular. how does that make sense? musicians works their asses off to promote themselves and those few that make it through in a mainstream way therefore lose credibility? because too many people like them? too many idiot automatons like me are just believing what the evil radio stations and dreaded record labels are shoving down their throats? if they make too much money, they no longer have talent?
you might not like celine's voice or her or her show, but she has the same amount of talent that she did when she was a less than insanely popular quebec singer singing in french. i don't judge you for not wanting to see her show or drop that much money. don't judge me. i'm going to see boats on saturday because boats are fucking amazing. i already bought their cd. and i'm going to see celine, too, because sometimes it's fun to just go to a weird spectacle.
i hope boats never makes it big because then they won't be worthy of liking anymore.
I should be f*ckin' shot. I just paid $85 for Maiden tickets. Celine better f*ckin' show up in an Eddie mask, I'll tell you that much.
What's wrong with me? Oh yeah, metal till deth!
You make some very valid points e.greene.
In my opinion, you are a well rounded music fan, and supporter.
After thinking about this a little further, I was reminded why the "big shows" tend to bother me.... why is it important to have "spectacle", and costume changes ? Its a musical performance - not cirque du soliel!
songs and instruments - if played properly should be enough to dazzle a crowd - at an affordable price.
I am not opposed to success - just big ticket shows to help pay for fireworks, bob mackie gowns, caviar in the green room, etc etc !
it's not important to have a spectacle. it's just fun. when it comes to shows like celine or cher or timberlake, it's not a musical performance. it's an event. audiences expect an event. i think there's room for many kinds of entertainment. if i want to see a really talented artist playing great music without petty adornment, i'll go to the west end or something. if i want to see a ridiculous show where people are lip syncing with choreographed moves in what some might argue is the epitome of western society's wasteful lack of priorities, i'll go to a celine show... and i'll have fun doing it. i don't think it needs to be either or.
i wish i knew more about where the money goes at big ticket shows like this, though. does anyone have a breakdown of what it costs to put on a typical show like this?
Well, for starters, at MTS I think they're still paying non Manitoba, non union stage crews.
speaking of spectacles....
There is one cost that I am interested in.....
The massive MTS illuminated billboard on Portage Avenue that impairs my vision, and scares me.
Every time I drive through that intersection, I am convinced that I just got a red-light camera ticket - but no... it's just a huge lightshow announcing the upcoming moose game or avril lavigne concert !
What would the Hydro bill be for that billboard per month ? maybe my yearly salary ?
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